- John Tavares will miss Saturday’s game against the Avalanche after his wife gave birth to a son, Tucker
- Nick Paul moves up to second-line center between Easton Cowan and William Nylander
- Read below for the lineup shuffle and when Tavares could be back
John Tavares is a father of four.
The Maple Leafs center will miss Saturday’s game against the Avalanche after his wife gave birth to a baby boy on Friday. The couple named him Tucker, and he joins siblings Jace, Axton and Rae.
Head coach Jim Hiller revealed the news to reporters in Las Vegas, where the Leafs practiced a day after their 4-3 overtime loss to the Golden Knights. Tavares was missing from the session for personal reasons. Reporter David Alter relayed the announcement:
The 36-year-old has one goal and three points through five games this season. He has centered the second line for most of his time in Toronto, so his absence leaves a real hole.
Nick Paul slid into that spot at practice, skating between Cowan and Nylander. Hiller was asked about the center depth and pointed to the options he has.
“I’m just thankful for the depth that we have in the center position,” Hiller said.
Nylander talked about the new look after practice, and he liked what he saw.
“I think it was clicking pretty good,” Nylander said of the line.
Take a look at the full lines from Friday’s skate:
Toronto also recalled Miles Wood from the Marlies. It’s unclear whether he gets into the lineup or Zack MacEwen stays on the fourth line.
Tavares is also hosting rookie Gavin McKenna at his home this season, so the Tavares household just got a lot busier. The two talk through games together, and McKenna has been skating on a third line with Colton Sissons and Bo Groulx.
Hiller, who got his first win as head coach over the Islanders, hasn’t said whether Tavares will be back Tuesday in Utah, the last stop on the road trip.
Congratulations to the Tavares family.
